Kovesi case: German MP Gunther Krichbaum urges EC Vice-president Timmermans to activate Article 7 for Romania

Gunther Krichbaum, chairman of the European Affairs Committee with the German Bundestag, has sent a letter to European Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans on Thursday, in which he criticized the Romanian Government for investigating former DNA chief prosecutor Laurea Codruta Kovesi by the special magistrates’ section, ziare.com informs.

Krichbaum asks Timmermans to start the procedure he has already begun for Poland: “What other future steps towards the dismantling of the rule of law are we still waiting from the Romanian Government until the Commission starts the procedure to activate Article 7 of the EU Treaty?”

Former chief of the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) Laura Codruta Kovesi announced for Europa FM private radio broadcaster that she has been summoned on Friday (today – our note) by the Criminal Investigation Section in the judicial system. The structure was set up after the law was amended by the PSD-ALDE ruling coalition.

The prosecutor claims she is regarded as suspect in a case where the charges are abuse of service, bribe taking and false testimony, hotnews.ro reports.

Laura Codruta Kovesi said that this subpoena comes as she prepares to support the interview for the position of European Chief Prosecutor.

Kovesi said that initially the hearing in the European Parliament was due to take place on February 18, but she received a mail Wednesday evening officially informing her that it would take place on February 26.

Laura Codruţa Kovesi was revoked from office on July 9, 2018 from the DNA leadership after President Klaus Iohannis acted according to the Constitutional Court decision, which required him to issue a decree of dismissal. Six months later, in December 2018, the former DNA Chief Prosecutor challenged to the ECHR the decision of revocation, stating that her human rights have been violated and that she does not want to get the position back. Laura Codruţa Kovesi’s complaint has not yet been solved by the ECHR.